Waves releases RS56 Passive EQ plugin

Waves has announced the release of the RS56 Passive EQ effect plug-in, developed in collaboration with Abbey Road Studios.

The Waves RS56 passive equalizer is an extremely musical-sounding EQ.

A passive equalizer with powerful sound-shaping capabilities, the RS56 Universal Tone Control was originally introduced in the early 1950s and used in Abbey Road Studios to prepare recordings for the record-lathe, as part of the process we now know as “mastering.” Later, Abbey Road’s pop engineers began using the RS56 for studio recordings because of its abilities to dramatically manipulate sound – unlike the basic treble and bass EQs found on the mixing consoles of the time. This earned it the nickname “The Curve Bender.”

Waves and Abbey Road Studios have faithfully recreated the unique magic of the RS56, using advanced circuit modeling techniques based on the original schematics. Like its hardware predecessor, the Waves: Abbey Road RS56 passive EQ plugin features three bands with four selectable center frequencies for each and six different filter types, plus independent or linked control over the left and right channels. The result is an extraordinary equalizer that is as effective today as it was when it was created over half a century ago.

RS56 Passive EQ features

Based on the legendary RS56 Universal Tone Control passive EQ.

Three bands with four selectable center frequencies for each.

Six different filter types.

Independent or linkable left/right controls.

Developed in association with Abbey Road Studios.

The RS56 is available to purchase for the introductory price of $99 USD (native) / $149 USD (Soundgrid).